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“Happy indeed we live, unafflicted amidst those afflicted by craving!

Amidst afflicted people we dwell free from affliction”.

This is the remarkable and profound statement of the Buddha.

Happiness is the most articulate and expressive word in the globe today.

The pursuit of happiness is the purpose of multitude of individuals.

But many voices reveal and affirm that what is contrary to true happiness.

Aspirations and dreams of many individuals clearly disclose what people are pursuit of.

Acquisition of wealth, accumulation of many material items, becoming a very influential person, and winning or acquiring honorary titles or felicitations are some of the ambitions and aspirations in many hearts.

But still they are not HAPPY.

Secret of the failure and the disappointment has been discovered, expounded, and entrusted the true way to approach and technique to pursue HAPPINESS by the great Master, the Buddha.

Twenty-six centuries ago, the Buddha set in motion of unique research himself as an aspirant of the Fully Enlightened One to achieve innermost happiness and peace by concluding his spiritual aspiration.

Unhappiness, Cause of Unhappiness, Happiness, and the Path to Happiness are named as Four Noble Truth in the teaching of the Buddha.

The Buddha clearly explicated and elucidated the breakthrough or realization in his first and foremost discourse after his Full Enlightenment called Dhammacakka Pavattana Sutta – Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion.

Craving or an insatiable desire is the paramount cause of UNHAPPINESS.

In order to eradicate craving and to accomplish lasting happiness we all should be introspective.

We all should deeply and intensely concentrate on thoughts, ideas and brain waves.  Try not to be a slave of your own thoughts but to be a Master of your thoughts.

This is the science and unprecedented technique the Buddha taught us and encouraged multitude of people to practice it diligently.

One day, the middle of the night one of the deities visited the Buddha and recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:

“Those who dwell deep in the forest,

Peaceful, leading the holy life,

Eating but a single meal a day:

Why is their complexion so serene?

The Blessed One replied thus:

“They do not sorrow over the past,

Nor do they hanker for the future.

They maintain themselves with what is present.

Hence their complexion is so serene.

“Through hankering for the future,

Through sorrowing over the past,

Fools dry up and wither away

Like a green reed cut down.”

May all beings be well and happy!

By: Ven. Horowpothane Sathindriya Thero

“Mother is a kind-hearted friend at your own premises”

 “Just as a mother would protect her son, her only child, with her own life, so one should develop towards all beings a state of mind without boundaries.”

Above mentioned remarkable statements of the Buddha profoundly characterize the inner personality of a mother.

It marks the Mother’s Day and millions of individuals celebrate it with gratitude in the globe today, the 10th of May 2020.

I thought to put into words in brief with respect to this special personality and a character although it is beyond words and terms.

Hundreds of mothers have articulated and disclosed their own stories, aspirations, wishes, purpose, dreams and objectives. All of them are relevant to their children. Every single mother wants to see her child as a shining star and a brilliant character in the world.

The pain, agony, discomfort, distress, and indescribable emotional afflictions and tribulations are unimaginable but kind- hearted mother has tolerated and endured all for the sake of her children. Still she does experience them

Unconditional love, compassion, appreciative – joy and equanimity are full in her heart.

We rarely hear some unacceptable reports which contrary to abovementioned fact.

Song writers, poets and other scholars have written thousands of assessments, appreciations, and accounts of gratitude of mothers.

Words are not enough and limited to clearly explicate the innermost qualities of a mother.

Their dedication, sacrifice, determination, commitment, devotion, love, affection, attachment, generosity, and friendliness are beyond reason and exposition.

Challenges, difficulties, pains, hardships, worries, complexities, and burdens are indescribable but, because of children they tolerate and endure multitudes of distressing matters and issues.

We all should understand the magnitude and the enormity of mother’s responsibilities and commitments.

When we were very young, all of us were very powerless and helpless.

We were incapable and unable.

Mother was there for us like a never departing shadow till we become capable and able.

Once late president John F Kennedy said:

“Mothers all want their sons to grow up to be president, but they don’t want them to become politicians in the process.”

“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers” (Rudyard Kipling)

May mothers be well, healthy, happy, safe and peaceful!  

By: Ven. Horowpothane Sathindriya Thero

“Monks, there is one person arising in the world who is unique, without a peer, without counterpart, incomparable, unequalled, matchless, unrivalled, the best of humans.

Who is that person? It is the Tathagata, the Arahant, the Fully Enlightened One. This is that one person….”

 It marks the Full Moon Day of Vesak (May) today.

Today is the 2564^th anniversary of Vesak.

Therefore, I thought to elaborate some profound characteristics of the great Master, the Buddha in brief on this special day.

Present day global atmosphere is inconceivable and unprecedented which the whole human society is drastically changed by COVID-19 deadly virus.

This is the precise time to reflect upon the inner qualities of the Buddha and what he compassionately encouraged us to do.

The Uniqueness of the Buddha is beyond comparison. A paragon of virtue, model of perfection, an embodiment of morality, a paradigm of impeccable personality, and incomparable immaculate spiritual leader who compassionately taught, guided and encouraged humanity towards innermost peace and happiness.

Inconceivable challenges and ineffable difficulties were enormous and excessively inundated in his life, but he patiently overcame and assiduously conquered them with courage and perseverance. With his unique dedication and paramount persistency, he conquered the battle of defilements and impurities; ultimately by treading the Noble Eightfold Path or Path of Purification which he attained by his spiritual accomplishment, the bliss of Nibbana.

After an extensive and amicable discussion with the Buddha one of the eminent and dedicated devotees of Nigantanataputta called Upali impressively extolled and glorified the Buddha in front of his devoted teacher thus:

 He is the wise one who has cast off delusion

Abandoned the heart’s wilderness,

Victor  in battle, he knows no anguish, is perfectly even-minded,

Mature in virtue, of excellent wisdom,

Beyond all temptations, he is without stain,

The Blessed One is he, and I am his disciple.  

May all being be well, happy and safe!

Ven, Horowpothane Sathindriya Thero.

“The world is led around by mind, by mind it’s dragged here and there. Mind is the one thing that has all under its control.”

This is a sagacious and brilliant statement made by the Buddha.

Nature of the mind is wondering. Above mentioned profound expression clearly explicate it well.

Mind should be disciplined, trained and tamed. Practicing mindfulness immensely helps us to meet our prospect if we truly and honestly practice it in a manner of consistency.

Mindfulness of breathing and other techniques which the Buddha compassionately prescribed and recommended for us to cultivate and to train our mind definitely will pave the way to innermost happiness and inner peace.

Specially, during this challenging period we should be very wise and compassionate to ourselves.

We all must look after our both physical and mental health.

There are many medications and therapies for physical pains and ailments, but it is very complex to find remedies for mental disorders and afflictions.

Kindly schedule your time to practice meditation daily.

Once the Buddha said thus:

“Those disciples of Gotama ever awaken happily whose minds by day and night delight in the practice of meditation.”

May all be well, happy, free from danger, and safe!

Ven. Horowpothane Sathindriya Thera

“This body is the source of much pain and danger; for all kinds of afflictions arise in this body”.

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of sickness. Which two? Bodily illness and mental illness.”

“People are found who can claim to enjoy bodily health for one….and even hundred years and more.”

“But apart from those whose taints have been destroyed. It is hard to find people in the world who can claim to enjoy mental health even for a moment.”

These above-mentioned pronouncements made by the Buddha 2600 years ago.
Still they are fresh, irreversible, and unchangeable.
Both physical and mental health are crucial for well-being of one’s life.
Most people concentrate only on physical health.
Unfortunately, they have forgotten the importance of mental health.

There are numerous medications and therapies for physical ailments and pains.
Even though many experts and professionals those who are active in the domain of psychology or psychiatry treat for those who are suffering from mental ailments and disorders, I believe that there is no precise remedy for mental disorders.
Some psychopaths and narcissists never change their deep-rooted perplexities, disorders, and complicated conditions.

They never accept that they are mentally sick.
Many individuals bitterly experience and suffer. Their immediate family members and associates become the victims.
We should treat them as children because spiritually they are poor.
Lack of spiritual development and dearth of spiritual friendship have led them to disaster.

They should be guided and trained carefully.
Medications might help them to reduce their ill balanced chemicals in the brain to some extent but medication itself does not totally help them to return to normality.
After the conclusion of medical treatment, they should be guided to practice mindfulness
Anger, jealousy, craving, ego, pride, anxiety, arrogance, self-centred mentality, and many unwholesome underlying tendencies are the key factors which make people suffer and depressed.

Spiritual friendship, Self-Observation, introspection, and meditation will help to get rid of these agonies and mental disorders.

Daily practice of meditation is the best.

The great master, the Buddha always has advised his disciples thus:

“What should be done for his disciples out of compassion by a teacher who seeks their welfare and has compassion for them, that I have done for you, bhikkhus.
There are these roots of trees, these empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not delay or else you will regret it later.
This is our instruction to you.”

May all be well, happy, be free from danger, be safe and be peaceful!

By: Ven. Horowpothane Sathindriya Thero.

MR. BILL GATES – A TRUE GENTLEMAN

“The contributor of good rejoices here, he rejoices hereafter; he rejoices in both worlds. He rejoices and exults, recollecting his own pure and wholesome deeds”.

This is an outstanding statement made by the Blessed One, the Buddha in 2600 years ago.

He is a true philanthropist and humanitarian donor.
What he earned has been invested for humanity, especially to protect and save their lives from many dangerous diseases like COVID- 19 that currently prevailing in the globe.

He always warns and inculcates heads of States and equip people to overcome catastrophe and to save humanity.
Some individuals and companies are in the business of making weapons constantly to destroy humanity.

He has confirmed in numerous interviews that he has not invested in any weapons manufacturing business. We must highly appreciate his virtuous principles.

Mr. Bill Gates is a true compassionate and veracious sympathetic humanitarian gentleman in our human society.

I Wish him a long, happy, safe and peaceful life!

By: Ven. Horowpothane Sathindriya Thera.

Dear Friends!

Practice of meditation or practicing mindfulness is very important and beneficial.

We should train and tame our mind.
The nature of the mind is wondering. It wonders to the past and to the future plans. Very rarely stay in the present moment.

What we do in meditation is trying to keep our mind in the present moment.
Some people try to keep their mind still as soon as they sit in meditation. That would be a disaster.

Most important and vital factor is mindfulness or awareness.

Now sit on your meditation cushion or chair. Keep your body straight. Gently close your eyes. Settle yourself physically and mentally.

Bring your attention into the present moment.
First start to focus on yourself and relax. Relax your facial muscles. Be mindful of it. Relax your shoulders and shoulder joints. Relax your arms, hands. Relax your upper body and relax your lower body. Relax your whole body….ease tensions and relax. Take few minutes more just be aware what you are doing. Relax.

Please remember…not thinking…not projecting…not visualizing anything but just relaxing your body. Be fully aware of this process.

Then slowly and mindfully start to watch your breath. Inner breath and outer breath.
Just natural…simple…ordinary breath.
No need to exercise your breath.
No any effort…….just breath flows in and breath flows out. Just be very mindful of them.
Feel and experience the whole breath, when it flows in and out.

Some breaths are in short and some are in long. Just mindfully observe them.

Amidst this process and progress both negative and positive thoughts will appear in your mind. This disturbs and distracts you. That is the challenge.

You should be very mindful of your breath only. Let other thoughts ignore and let them go.
Please do not go to inner dialogue with them.

Do not let your mind wonder – if it is wondering, slowly and carefully bring back your attention into the present moment. Again mindfully start to observe your breath as it flows.

Take at least thirty minutes to practice.
And in the end just focus on yourself and cultivate loving kindness thoughts (Meththa) in you……just wish yourself….
May I be well. May I be happy. May I be free from danger. May I be safe!
Just continue it for few minutes…

Then convey your loving kindness thoughts towards your family members…..
Wish them be well, happy, free from danger and be safe!

Then direct your thoughts towards all living beings……
May all beings be well, free from danger and safe!

Just continue for few minutes and come out of meditation when you are ready.

MAY THE BLESSINGS OF THE NOBLE TRIPLE GEM BE WITH YOU ALWAYS!

Ven, Horowpothane Sathindriya Thero.

“If one holds oneself dear, one should diligently watch oneself”

This is a remarkable statement made by the Buddha 2600 years ago.

He constantly advised and encouraged multitude of individuals to safeguard all living beings and discouraged harming anyone by inculcating the danger of killing and the benefits of abstinence of killing.

Now our fellow humans can understand the significance and worth of life.
Now COVID-19 is a life-threatening pandemic disease which has taken the control over everything in the globe.

Everything is unpredictable and dangerous. Everyone is stressed and confused.
The proliferation and transmission of this virus is unimaginable.

Millions of people are depressed not only because of this virus but also from isolation, social distancing and economic burdens.

Multitudes of people lost their jobs and have been affected by this COVID=19 pandemic disease.

Many individuals who are infected and fighting for their lives around the globe today.
Numerous experts, professionals, authorities and skilful individuals in hospitals work around the clock.
Their lives at risk. Their indefatigable and unflagging service is highly appreciated and commendable.
They try their utmost to save lives of their fellow human beings.

This is a HUMAN RIGHT as a HUMAN BEING.

As wise and compassionate human beings, we all must save lives of other living beings too.
Those who are committed and dedicated to do it become UNIQUE and EXTRAORDINARY.

Now is the precise time and opportunity for us to appreciate and value the LIFE we have inherited as HUMAN BEINGS.

Now is the moment for us to concentrate on our birth as a human being with many abilities and capabilities.

We should not take it for granted.

Once the great Master, the Buddha said thus:

“As from a great heap of flowers many garlands can be made, even so should many good deeds be done by one born a human being”.
(The Buddha)

By: Ven. Horowpothane Sathindriya Thera.

Daily Mirror – Wednesday, February 19, 2020

The Island News paper

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=219034

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Lack-of-morality-leads-to-disaster-157281.html